Real Madrid keen on €110 million-rated striker, Manchester United linked with former Monaco forward: Transfer Roundup, 4 January 2019

Mauro Icardi
Mauro Icardi

Hello and welcome to Sportskeeda's Daily Transfer Roundup. Just four days into the winter transfer market, many sides across Europe have started to assess their options to bolster their squad as they prepare to lift the silverware at the end of the season.

One big signing has already been announced which will see Christian Pulisic move to Chelsea at the end of the season for a fee of 64 million. Rumours across Europe have been rumbling for a long time now.

Let's look at the top transfer news, rumours, and updates that made the headlines on 4 January 2019.


Manchester United look at Yannick Carrasco to bolster their front line

Yannick Carrasco
Yannick Carrasco

Former Atletico Madrid winger Yannick Carrasco is eyed by the English outfit Manchester United. The Belgian who decided to move to the Chinese Premier League side Dalian Yifang is rumoured to return to England, with a possible move to the Red Devils.

The Belgian International has not been lighting to the Chinese club's plans and they are ready to do the business for a fee of €45 million, according to FootMercato. Since his move to Dalian in January 2018, Carrasco has scored just seven goals in 26 appearances for the club.

When Jose Mourinho was the manager of Manchester United, he was keen on Yannick Carrasco and bid 30 million for the Belgian during the summer of 2017. But, Diego Simeone blocked the move as he saw the winger to his integral plans for the next season.

Entering into the new season, Carrasco fell out with his former manager which meant that his departure would be imminent in the next transfer window. Despite receiving plenty of offers across Europe, he preferred to move to China a year ago.

Belgium manager Roberto Martinez did not put a full stop to Yannick Carrasco as he has been continuously included in the squad. Recently, he was part of the 2018 World Cup also. He could follow his compatriot Axel Witsel who is having a great time with the German outfit Borussia Dortmund upon his departure from China last summer.

Also see : EPL Transfer News, Chelsea Transfer News, Manchester Transfer News

Arsenal launch €50 million bid for Nicolas Pepe

Nicolas Pepe
Nicolas Pepe

Unai Emery is a big fan of Nicolas Pepe. The Ivorian who is rated at €80 million by his club Lille has been linked with the Gunners for several months now.

The Italian outlet TuttoMercatoWeb has quoted that Arsenal have made a €50 million move plus add-ons for the 23-year-old. Although the player has said that he would stay with the French outfit until the end of the season, the prospect of playing in the Premier League is too attractive.

Following a breakthrough season with 14 goals last term, the forward has now racked up 12 goals in the league alone under the management of Christophe Galtier at Lille.

The English outfit are currently in reconstruction process having already made five transfers in the summer transfer window. The injuries to Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Danny Welbeck, and the inability of Mesut Ozil to excel under Unai Emery has made him make a move for Pepe for the January transfer window.

Hirving Lozano wanted by Chelsea

Hirving Lozano
Hirving Lozano

After completing the transfer of Christian Pulisic from Borussia Dortmund who will join the Blues after this season, Maurizio Sarri is keen to make a move for PSV Eindhoven's winger Hirving Lozano.

The Mexican caught the eyes of several scouts during the 2018 World Cup in Russia and attracted plenty of interest all around Europe. According to Italian publication Calciomercato, the Blues are confident that they would able to fend off interest from AC Milan and Napoli to land the forward who is reportedly available for £36 million.

In a recent interview, Maurizio Sarri expressed his unhappiness with the current crop of wingers who are so fragile except Eden Hazard. The 23-year-old is capable of contributing much more to the final third than the likes of Willian and Pedro.

The PSV winger has scored 34 goals in 61 appearances for the Dutch club upon his move in 2017. Should Chelsea also sign the attacker in the summer transfer window, front line could be changed for the better?

Barcelona on the verge of completing a swoop for Jean-Clair Todibo

EJean-Clair Todibo
EJean-Clair Todibo

Barcelona are currently hampered by the injuries to Samuel Umtiti and Thomas Vermaelen. The LaLiga outfit are not sure about the return of the former with the club continue to reassess about the possibility of having surgery.

The reigning Spanish Champions have already completed a deal for Valencia defender Jeison Murillo who will be on loan until the end of the season, but a deal could materialize for the French International Jean-Clair Todibo in the summer transfer window.

The 19-year-old has been suspended from the first team after refusing to put pen to the paper with the current club Toulouse. The defender has been told that he could leave the club for free when his contract expires in 2020.

According to the ever reliable Gianluca Di Marzio, it is understood that Barcelona are leading the pack to sign the youngster, followed by Juventus and Napoli. With Gerard Pique not getting young anymore, and Samuel Umtiti's ongoing injury problems, Barcelona are in the hunt for a center-back in the transfer market.

Jean-Clair Todibo could be the excellent choice for the Catalans, proving to be a long-term choice.

Real Madrid keen on €110 million-rated striker

Mauro Icardi
Mauro Icardi

Real Madrid are preparing to make a move for Inter Milan striker Mauro Icardi in the summer transfer window. The Argentine International is valued at 110 million by the Nerazzurri who are not able to tie him down to a new contract.

His current contract runs until 2021 and the Italian outlet Calciomercato report that the 25-year-old has rebuffed a contract renewal as he is eyeing a lucrative offer from the club. It is understood that Inter Milan have a six million wage on the table, but the striker is wanting anything around nine million which would double his current wages.

Paying this wage should not be a problem for the Los Blancos. Goals have dried up higher up the pitch for the Los Blancos, and Florentino Perez will be eager to bring in to Santiago Bernabeu.

The 25-year-old has been one of the prolific scorers in Europe over the last five years. The Argentine has taken the field 237 times for the club, scoring on 131 occasions. Not to forget that Mauro Icardi was part of the youth setup with Barcelona before moving to Sampdoria and Inter Milan.

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Edited by Vignesh Ananthasubramanian
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